If you come to Matsuyama, be sure to take the train to Dogo Onsen Station and explore! Known as the gateway to Dogo Onsen, believed to be Japan's oldest hot spring, it's also a photogenic spot with a retro atmosphere. The eye-catching Botchan Train is parked nearby. Inspired by Natsume Soseki's novel Botchan, it became a classic symbol of Dogo because the novel's protagonist rode it. After exploring the station, head straight to the Dogo Onsen shopping street, where you'll find souvenirs, food, and desserts. It's a charming place to stroll and browse!
Dogo Onsen Station | Review by wendy
Other Reviews by wendy
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Pontocho
Pontocho Street runs north to south sandwiched by Kamo River and Takase River, which was originally an island in Kamo River. In the early Edo Period, Takase River was opened and connected to Fushimi, and it began to prosper as a logistics hub. In the late Edo period, it became a downtown. By the early Meiji Period when Kamogawa Dance was performed to promote Pontocho, it was established as a red-light district.
When visiting Kyoto, Pontocho is a street well worth taking your time to explore. It has been a bustling downtown district in Kyoto since the Edo period, and the street still retains a strong sense of old Kyoto. This time, I visited during the day. Without the lively nighttime crowds and noise, the street felt especially quiet and peaceful. Traditional machiya townhouses and narrow alleys line both sides, giving it a uniquely Kyoto charm. Strolling leisurely through the area and experiencing the atmosphere of daily life in the ancient capital has a charm of its own. It's also a great place to take beautiful photos.
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The Museum of Kyoto
Established in 1988 as a part of the celebrations for the 1200-year anniversary of the Heian capital foundation. The renewal of the museum in 2011 has made visitors feel “genuine”. The exhibitions clearly explain the history and culture of Kyoto, the millennium capital.
The Museum of Kyoto is a comprehensive cultural facility that introduces Kyoto's history and culture. Through a wide variety of exhibits, it presents the city's development and culture in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
General admission is JPY 500, and student admission is JPY 400, so the prices are quite affordable. The building's exterior is also very beautiful, and the exhibitions are good, with different themes each time.
One downside is that the explanations inside the museum are mainly only in Japanese and English, with no support for other languages. If you're not very familiar with Japanese or English, it may be a little difficult to gain a deeper understanding of the exhibits.
If you have enough time in your itinerary and enjoy history, culture, or museums, I would still recommend stopping by and taking your time to experience a side of Kyoto's cultural appeal that's different from its tourist attractions.
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Ninna-ji Temple
The head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" The construction of the temple began in the early Heian period (886) at the request of Emperor Koko, the 58th emperor, and was completed in 888 by Emperor Uda, the next emperor. The temple name, Ninna, comes from the Japanese era name.
When viewing cherry blossoms in Kyoto, save Ninna-ji Temple for your last stop! With its long-standing ties to the imperial family, Ninna-ji preserves historic buildings such as the Kondo Hall and Goten Palace. The traditional atmosphere and cherry blossoms in full bloom come together to create a beautiful Kyoto scene.
The most captivating sight is the famous Omuro cherry blossoms, which usually bloom a little later than in other parts of Kyoto. When they are in full bloom, the sea of soft pink blossoms against the temple buildings and five-story pagoda truly captures the feeling of spring in Kyoto. On this visit to Ninna-ji, I arrived just as the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Romantic shades of pink filled the view, and everything looked beautiful in photos.
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